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76ers' No. 3 defense faces Bulls offense ranked 28th

Chicago allows 120.4 points per 100 possessions, worst in the NBA, and brings a six-game losing streak home on Sunday.

Tyrese Maxey averages 26.9 points for 8-2 Philadelphia
Philadelphia won the first meeting 126-107 on November 2
Chicago's defense ranks last of 30 teams; its offense ranks 28th

Published November 8, 2026 at 4:01 AM2 min read How this story was written

Final

Philadelphia 76ers

Chicago Bulls

Box score and plays

The Philadelphia 76ers (8-2) and their third-ranked defense visit the Chicago Bulls (1-7), losers of six straight, at 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday, with the Bulls' 28th-ranked offense up against it.

Opponents score 104.4 points per 100 possessions against Philadelphia and post an effective field goal percentage of 50.3, fourth in the league. Chicago scores 103.7 per 100 and shoots an effective 47.6%, 29th, so a team that already misses meets a defense that rarely gives up clean looks.

At the other end, the 76ers rank 21st in offensive rating and 27th in effective shooting. Chicago allows 120.4 points per 100, worst in the league, and ranks 29th in defensive rebounding, so any second chance Philadelphia creates finds the door open.

Chicago's lever is speed. The Bulls play the fastest pace in the league and rank third in free throw rate. Philadelphia answers with ball security, turning it over on 11.3% of its possessions, third-lowest, which limits the run-outs the Bulls want.

Tyrese Maxey leads Philadelphia with 26.9 points a game on 47.4% shooting. LeBron James adds 6.9 assists. Joel Embiid, the top rebounder at 9.6 a game, is probable.

Chicago leans on Caleb Wilson, who scores 19.5 points and leads the team with 1.9 steals. Josh Giddey runs the offense with 7.6 assists a game.

Philadelphia will be without Adem Bona, its leader in blocks, and Dominick Barlow, who plays 23.7 minutes a game. Both are out, as is one more player.

For Chicago, Nicolas Claxton is questionable after logging 27.8 minutes a game, and Dailyn Swain is out. Jalen Smith, the leading rebounder at 7.8, is probable. Two more Bulls are out and one more is questionable.

Philadelphia won the first meeting 126-107 on November 2. Chicago has since lost 135-105 at New York, and its skid includes a 134-99 loss at Boston. The 76ers come in off a 119-95 loss at Cleveland.

Sportsbooks' prices give Philadelphia a 77% chance to win Sunday, November 8, in Chicago. The Keel projection puts it at 76%, with the 76ers favored by 7.5 points.